Watch: In attendance for Bills/Bengals game, injured safety Damar Hamlin fires up fans from jumbotron
In a packed, snow-filled Highmark Stadium, Buffalo Bills injured safety Damar Hamlin fired up the crowd, making his first appearance at a game since suffering a terrifying cardiac event on Jan. 2.
Late in the first half of Sunday's divisional round playoff between the Bills and Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin appeared on the jumbotron from a stadium suite. While the crowd erupted, Hamlin made a heart with his hands and gestured to the fans to get louder.
It was a heartwarming moment and a positive sign for Hamlin's health that he could make the trip.
While Hamlin is out of the hospital, he still has a "lengthy recovery" ahead, per his marketing representative and friend, Jordon Rooney. Hamlin reportedly still requires oxygen and has his heart regularly monitored as he continues his rehab.
Hamlin spent almost a week at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following the traumatic injury on "Monday Night Football" three weeks ago. Hamlin returned home to Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute before being discharged on Jan. 11.
This week, Hamlin made his return to the Bills' practice facility. Head coach Sean McVay told reporters that Hamlin has visited "almost daily," giving the rest of the Bills squad a boost ahead of its playoff matchup with the Bengals.
In Week 17, Hamlin collapsed to the field at Paycor Stadium after a collision with Bengals wideout Tee Higgins. Hamlin's life-threatening event has brought out the good in so many throughout the NFL world and beyond. Along with countless well-wishers, donations poured into Hamlin's toy drive fund, exceeding $8 million.
More must-reads: